Some bloodthirsty bandits who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train on March, 28, have threatened to commence the killing of abducted passengers in their custody failure of the Federal Government to meet their demands within seven days.
Parts of the demands were the unconditional release of their detained children held in an orphanage home in Adamawa State under the strict supervision of the Nigerian Army as well as the release of their detained comrade at arm.
The bandits also disclosed that the suspended train service by the Nigerian Railway Corporation slated for May 23 on the Abuja-Kaduna route, was a result of their threat to the government.
These were contained in the latest edition of the Kaduna-based Desert Herald newspaper, whose publisher, Malam Tukur Mamu, is a Media Consultant to controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
The media aide said the bandits contacted him through one of their leaders simply identified as Abu Barra with firm instructions to convey the message to the victims’ families as well as the Federal Government.
According to the bandits, the Federal Government is not sincere with the negotiation, warning that unless their detained children, forcefully taken away by security operatives from their wives in Nasarawa state and detained in Adamawa State, are released, the kidnapped passengers will come out alive.
In the telephone conversation between the bandits and the publisher of the newspaper, the bandits noted that the Federal Government had contacted them on how to secure the release of the abducted passengers but “there seems to be insincerity on the part of the government putting the lives of the passengers at risk.”
They continued that the Federal Government suspended the resumption of the train service because of their threats.
“The government suspended the resumption of the train service indefinitely because of our threats and we repeat, if our conditions are not met, the resumption of the train service is to the detriment of the government and the passengers.
“We don’t need money. We have a good reason for doing what we did until our demands are met. None of the victims will come out alive even if it means we all die with them. They are well taken care of as you can see from the pictures we sent to you via WhatsApp but we assure you that this will not continue. (Punch)